Vermicelli with Chicken Skewers and Nuoc Cham

In this version of a Vietnamese dish, individual piles of cucumber, fresh herbs, and grilled chicken are arranged on a platter of vermicelli and bean sprouts. Tangy nuoc cham sauce is poured over all. As each diner takes a portion, the components intermingle.
This recipe originally appeared in the Quick from Scratch One-Dish Meals Cookbook.Quick Chicken Recipes

2/3 cup fresh mint, basil, or cilantro leaves, or any combination of the three

1/3 cup chopped peanuts

How to Make It

Step 1

Heat the broiler or light the grill. In a medium bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, 2 cloves of the garlic, and the oil. Add the chicken, toss, and then thread each strip onto a wooden skewer. Broil or grill the chicken until just done, about 2 minutes per side.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 4 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 clove garlic with the red-pepper flakes, vinegar, lime juice, and water. Set this nuoc cham aside.

Step 3

In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the vermicelli until just done, about 9 minutes. Add the bean sprouts during the last minute of cooking. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain thoroughly.

Step 4

Put the pasta and bean sprouts on a platter and top with the cucumber, herbs, and chicken skewers. Pour the nuoc cham over all and sprinkle with the peanuts.

Notes

Asian fish sauce is available at Asian markets and many supermarkets.

Suggested Pairing

The high acidity, citrus and mineral flavors, and slight sweetness of a German riesling are the perfect foils for the sweet and savory taste of this dish. Try a young kabinett from the Mosel region.

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Review Body: Very, very good. Would have preferred more of the nuoc cham sauce, but it was so salty that to use any more would have ruined the dish. I used Red Boat Fish Sauce, which I have used forever, but maybe it is saltier than others. I might try adding more vinegar and water to the sauce next time to see if helps.

Review Rating:

Date Published: 2019-05-20

Author Name: R Lee

Review Body: A had the same dish last week. Great BBQ dish for the Summer.